Braman Setyoko
IPMI International Business School
Amelia Naim Indrajaya
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It is not necessary to bring in livestock experts to help Astra Jati in its initial establishment, because the followers of JPS have many professions and experts, including livestock experts. In the beginning of establishment, the livestock experts determine Standard Operating Procedure which is used to breed finest quality of cows and goats. The procedure includes cattle breeding methods, feed management, farm management, processing sewing to fertilizer, etc.
By working together with the surrounding people, Asta Jati generates sustainable revenue and profit annually. The income is derived from the sale of cows and goats. The price of Limosin cow can reach 40 to 60 millions rupiah. While the Etawa goat, the price is around 2 to 6 millions rupiah. However, not all cows and goats can be sold. In accordance with the purpose of Asta Jati’s establishment, some livestock are sacrificed on Eid Al-Adha.
“The main purpose of this business is not solely looking for profit. Every year, the profit generated is not that much, but the usage is so much more. This activity provides business opportunities and income for the people, as well as providing good quality of livestock for our annual activities, Eid Al-Adha. Besides, part of the profit is used to support the other activities or needs, such as: mosque maintenance, construction of other buildings, operational costs for school, etc.,” said the chief of Asta Jati Foundation, Mr. Cahyo.
Another benefit is the organic fertilizer obtained from livestock’s dung in an enormous amount. This organic fertilizer is given to the people to be used to fertilize their crops and also for own use to fertilize elephant grass (pennisetum purpureum) as the main feed of cattle, so the cost for cattle feed is relatively cheap. This is a perfect cycle where cows are eating the elephant grass which is fertilized from their own dung.
Elephant grass grows upright. The plant’s height can reach seven meters. It has thick and hard trunk, long leaves, and flowers like ice wax. The nutrient content of elephant grass consists of 19.9% dry matter; 10,2% crude protein; 1.6% fat; 34.2% crude fiber; 11,7% ash. These contents are very much needed by ruminant livestock such as cows or buffaloes. Elephant grass takes 60 days to be harvested and used as cattle feed. 60 days will be effective if elephant grass is given sufficient water and nutrition. Water is easily retrieved in this area because there is orographic rain (rain that occurs in mountains) which occurs almost every day. As for nutrition, it is obtained from organic fertilizer. Hence, both water and nutritious fertilizer can be obtained for free.
Besides elephant grass, cattle feed is combined with fermented rice straw. Rice straw is an agricultural waste that is usually removed from the land by burning or disposing it. With Asta Jati, farmers are delightful because there is no difficulties in disposing those wastes after harvesting process is complete. As for Asta Jati itself, this is very beneficial because they can obtain free cattle feed in enormous amount.
Mr. Abdullah Sattar Madjid is an inspirational figure with entrepreneurial and social spirit. He spent most of his time on religious and social activities.
Besides Asta Jati Foundation and Dorowati Foundation which manage Elementary School, Junior High School and Senior High School, he established maternity homes and mosques without any donations from external party of JPS. Then, he formed a team of reckoning experts equipped with astronomical telescopes to specify a date and create a calendar based on Islamic calendar (Hijriyah). He also formed a team to handle corpse by also providing them ambulance cars. The team is well-known in handling corpse from bathing the corpse until burial without any costs. And many more things that Mr. Sattar conducted throughout his life.
Since the beginning of the establishment, Asta Jati’s business is expected to fulfill the concept of sustainability which includes Triple Bottom Lines: Profit, Planet and People. Besides earning Profit from the livestock sales, this business also involves many People in surroundings area by providing them business opportunities, organic fertilizer and rice straw management. As for Planet aspect, Asta Jati’s business is very environmental-friendly because its input, process and output are all natural resources.
Asta Jati is able to transform the lives of the followers of JPS by involving them in the business, growing their entrepreneurial spirit, raising their social and environment awareness, and creating business opportunities by using resources around them. Not only that they learn how to become a true entrepreneur, they also get to earn income and contribute to their mosque and welfare of the society. Besides that, in accordance with the purpose of Asta Jati’s establishment, some livestock are sacrificed on Islamic annual Eid Al-Adha.
The followers of JPS are working closely with the people in surroundings area. They provided education about waste management to the farmers. Hence, the farmers can use the knowledge to further improve their crops. Thus, they can earn better and live better.
It also promotes the act of environmental-friendly practices in the business. Thus, this business can sustain for long period of time due to its good environmental practices.
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Tri Budi Sutjahjo, Mr, Chief of Asta Jati Foundation
Abdullah Suwandi Setro Putro, Mr, Leader of Jamaah Pengajian Surabaya
Ahmad Slamet Raharjo, Mr, Field Coordinator of Asta Jati
Jamaah Pengajian Surabaya (JPS), or if translated in English is ”Surabaya Recitation Congregation”, is an Islamic-based institution established in Surabaya 1957 by KH. Abdul Madjid Ellyas. After the death of Mr. Ellyas, JPS’ leadership was succeeded by his son, KH. Abdullah Sattar Madjid who made JPS even more well-known by society. Although Mr. Sattar is a religious leader, he has a remarkable entrepreneurial and social spirit. It is proved through the establishment of Dorowati Foundation which engages in education and Asta Jati foundations which engages in cattle breeding and fattening. Although Mr. Sattar passed away since 2010, his legacy is still continued by his successor Abdullah Suwandi Setro Putro, as the leader of JPS. But Mr. Suwandi is not alone, to help manage the foundations he is assisted by several people. One of them is Tri Budi Sutjahyo or Mr. Cahyo who is trusted to manage Asta Jati.
Asta Jati Foundation was established in Pasirian District, Lumajang City, East Java, Indonesia. It is located about 168 km from Surabaya. Established since 1990s, this foundation conducts activities that combine both business and social awareness in the society. Mr. Sattar believes that in order to increase sustainable self-reliance, they must have their own business that is able to contribute alternative funds to support the religious activities. JPS must not always expect the funds from donations. In this way, the followers of JPS are empowered with knowledge to utilize the resources around them so they can earn their own income. Located at the slope of Mt. Semeru, the highest active volcano in Java Island with an altitude of 3.676 meters above sea level, the area is perfect for livestock and agriculture due to its fertile soil. With abundant agricultural productions, livestock’s food is always available at relatively cheap cost.